Vinicius Jr was not given the chance to take a penalty in Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Norway on July 6, 2026. The decision was made by coach Carlo Ancelotti, who opted for Bruno Guimarães instead.
What happened?
The penalty was awarded in the 14th minute after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box. Guimarães took the penalty but was denied by Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland.
Why it matters for Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr had been in good form throughout the tournament, but Ancelotti's decision was based on statistical analysis. The coach revealed that Raphinha was the best penalty taker in the team, according to the data.
The penalty hierarchy
Ancelotti explained that the team's penalty-taking order had been determined before the match. Vinicius Jr was not among the top four options, with Neymar, Igor Thiago, Bruno Guimarães, and Gabriel Martinelli ranked higher.
The decision to leave Vinicius Jr out of the penalty ultimately backfired, as Brazil went on to lose the match. The defeat marked a shocking exit from the World Cup for the five-time champions.
Vinicius Jr's recent penalty record has been patchy, with two misses from three attempts for Brazil. This may have influenced Ancelotti's decision to opt for Guimarães instead.
The loss has sparked criticism of Ancelotti's tactics, with many questioning the decision to leave Vinicius Jr out of the penalty. The Brazilian coach defended his decision, citing the statistical analysis as the reason.
And so, Brazil's World Cup campaign came to an end on July 6, 2026, with a 2-1 defeat to Norway. The team will now have to regroup and rebuild for the next tournament.
But for Vinicius Jr, the decision to leave him out of the penalty will be a tough one to take. The young winger had been in good form throughout the tournament and will be disappointed not to have been given the chance to make a difference.
So, what's next for Vinicius Jr and Brazil? The team will have to pick themselves up and dust themselves off after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Vinicius Jr will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment and prove himself as one of the top players in the world.
On July 6, 2026, Brazil's World Cup dreams were shattered. The team will now have to wait another four years to try and win the tournament again. For Vinicius Jr, the wait will be just as long, but he will be looking to use the experience to come back stronger and more determined than ever.